About the Company
Hi. I'm Susan Ferguson. I'm the owner of a small editorial and design services company in Tucson, Arizona. I provide editing, writing, design, project management and tutoring/training services to help clients look and sound their best. I have been working with clients in education, small business, corporate, the nonprofit community and publishing since 1995. My goal is to help clients achieve their writing, publishing, communication and marketing goals.

I have thirty years of professional experience as a writer, editor and graphic designer in journalism, marketing, publishing and print design/production. I've also taught for five years as a college instructor of composition, literature and creative writing. In my spare time I'm a photographer, a writer and a fiber artist.

Copy Editing
If you've written a masterpiece of a manuscript but you've grown tired of reading over the copy to look for and correct those little mistakes, I can help. I have worked as a professional editor for nearly thirty years, and I have several years of writing and composition teaching experience as a college-level English instructor. I will read your manuscript or writing project according to your specifications and make improvements and corrections that will make the finished product wow your audience. From proofreading/light editing (which involves reading copy to correct spelling, grammar and punctuation problems only) to substantive editing (which involves reading copy for spelling, grammar, punctuation, style, flow, consistency and format), I can help you improve the quality of your finished product.

My standard proofreading/light copyediting rate is 2 cents a word. My substantive editing rate is 3 cents a word, based on the total word count in your completed, submitted manuscript. Rush project fees are slightly higher, depending on the timeframe and the size of the project.
Book manuscript editing services must be scheduled. A short manuscript (fewer than 30,000 words) can be edited in less than a week. Longer manuscripts (30,000-60,000 words) require two to three weeks. Even longer manuscripts (60,000-100,000 words) require four to six weeks to complete.
For more information, please use the contact form at the bottom of this page to get in touch with me.

Copywriting
Writing can be a challenge for some people. If it is a challenge for you, I can help. I have more than thirty years of experience as a professional writer, including valuable experience as a print journalist, marketing communications specialist and educational materials developer. I know how to develop ideas, research information, organize it and present it so that it resonates with the intended audience. I will help you with research, interviews, organization, style and polish so that your writing is clear and your audience understands your message. If you are facing a writing project and aren't sure where to start or how to get it done, I can help. Let's work together so you can achieve your goals. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page to get in touch with me.

Project Management
Each project has its own rhythm. Sometimes a project fits in our lives, and sometimes life gets in the way. I can help you get your project done by working with you as a writer, editor, graphic designer and project manager so that your goals are met on time and on budget. I will help you plan a calendar; oversee the writing, editing and design of the project; track proofing; and work with the printer to make sure that project materials are delivered in good form, on time and on budget. I can help you get things done so you can spend more time doing the things you do best. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page to get in touch with me.

Publication Design
If you need someone to design a book, book cover, catalog, direct mail, collateral item or other print publication, I can help you get your project done. I have more than twenty years of experience designing editorial and marketing materials. I will help you select the best images and text styles and design a layout that you and your audience will love. I will work with you on your project to make sure that it gets done the way you want, on time and on budget. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page to get in touch with me.

Research
Research can be fun or a chore, depending on the amount of time you have to get it done. I have more than thirty years of experience as a researcher for articles and projects in a wide range of fields. I know how to brainstorm ideas to get started, and I have access to a number of different resources that can help you find the data and infromation you need. I have experience as an interviewer, and I am patient and persistent when it comes to finding answers to questions. I will help you find the information you need to make a smart decision and get things done. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page to get in touch with me.

Training
If your office team needs help polishing its reading, thinking and writing skills so that your company's or organization's communications are more effective, I can help. I will help you see reading, thinking and writing in a fresh, new way so that you can put ideas together to reach your target audience.
I've worked as a print journalist, marketing communications specialist, and a college English instructor. In all three roles, I've had the opportunity to read and research specialized topics, analyze and evaluate the significance and value of the content I've researched, and interpret and write about the information so that it connects directly with the target audience. I've taught college-level students how to read, think about, and write about topics that they may have never considered.
My strategies are easy to understand. My methods are easy to follow. The best part? Homework is a snap.
I offer one-day and two-day seminars tailored to your company's or organization's needs. Contact me so that we can set up training sessions for your team today.

Tutoring
Your writing and study skills sets don't match the expectations of your boss or instructor. I can help you strengthen your critical reading, critical thinking and writing skills so that your writing shines. Many people struggle to understand what they read. They have a difficult time analyzing research and organizing facts and ideas effectively for a composition essay, research paper or business report. If you are in this spot, I can show you several strategies that will help you to improve your reading, thinking and writing skills and achieve your goals. I will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, work with you on specific assignments, and guide you through the process of developing stronger ideas to write more powerful essays, research papers and reports.
I ask each tutoring student to commit to at least five scheduled one-hour appointments so that we can work together to strengthen skills by working on real assignments. This way, the student has a vested interest in accomplishing specific goals. Internet access is needed for lessons and access to assignment descriptions. The rate for individual tutoring is $40 per hour. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page to get in touch with me.

Writing Coach
You have a brilliant idea for a book or website.
Whether you've decided to write fiction or non-fiction, you maybe struggling with generating enough ideas to fill a book. Or you may be having trouble trying to figure out which brilliant ideas to use and which ideas to set aside for your next masterpiece. I can help you brainstorm, organize and assemble the information so that your message is spot on.
If you're having trouble staying on task as you write, I can help you set realistic goals and work with you to make sure that your words are the best they can be. I've worked with lots of writers to help them finish their writing projects and take them to the next level. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page to get in touch with me.